Thumb-hole-cutting machine.



,J. D. REIFSNYDER.

THUMB HOLE CUTTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.17. 1913,

Patented Apr. 7, 1914.

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J. D. REIPSNYDER.

THUMB HOLE CUTTING MACHINE APPLICATION FILED APR.17, 1913.

1,092,393. Pat nt d Apr. 7, 191 1 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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J. D. REIPSNYDER.

THUMB HOLE CUTTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.17, 1913. 1,092,393, Patented Apr. 7, 191% a SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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STAES PATENT OFFTQE.

JAMES D. REIFSNYDER, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO STOKES &

SMITH COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENN- SYLVANIA.

THUMB-HOLE-CUTTING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. *7, iota.

To all whom it may concern I Be it known that 1, James D. RnIrsNYDnR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Thumb-l-Iole-Cutting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a machine designed especially for cutting the thumb holes in paper box covers, particularly those covers that inclose the entire box and extend down to or nearly to the bottom thereof.

The object of the invention is to provide a light, strong, and compact machine for the purpose designed, which may be driven optionally by foot, belt or motor power which is readily adjustable to operate on many different sizes of covers without disconnecting any of the operating mechanism, and which may be moved from one place to another without effort. The cutter-heads are interchangeable with other cutter heads having punches or cutters of different sizes or shapes mounted therein when thumb holes of other sizes or different configurations are desired. The box cover support is adjustable vertically to vary the depth of cut, and the frame carries an adjustable gage which may be set to correctly position any cover not too large for the machine.

An important feature of the invention resides in the actuator member for imparting power and motion from any of the heretofore mentioned sources of power to the movable punches. This member is so constructed as to have continuous engagement with the connectors that reciprocate the punches, irrespective of whether they are set to out large, small or intermediate sizes of box covers. The cutter heads besides supporting the punches and the dies therefor, have also mounted thereon the operators for said punches, which operators have each a sliding engagement with the actuator member. The heads are movable in guides to any distance within the length of the machine, it being only necessary to loosen a thumb nut on each head, slide the heads to the desired points, and then tighten the nuts when the machine will be ready for operation.

To render this invention so clear that it may be made and used by those skilled in the art, attention is directed to the following detailed description and claims in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine made in accordance with this invention, a portion of the same being shown in section. Fig. 2 1s a vertical sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a top plan view, one of the cutter heads being broken away to more clearly illustrate certain features of the invention. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a product of the machine.

In the drawing 10 indicates a flat horizontal table of greater dimensions laterally than from front to rear and provided with an opening 11 therethrough extending from side to side, the edges of said opening being provided with guide ways 12. The plate 10 is supported on upright legs 13 at each end connected together at the bottom by a transverse bar or bars 14, for preventing the legs spreading, and mounted on small wheels 15 by means of which the machine may be moved from place to place.

Slidable on the guide ways 12 are two outter heads 16 and 17, which project a short distance through the opening 11 in the table and are each provided with a clamping screw 18 having a hook 19 on its lower end which extends laterally below one of the guide ways, and a thumb nut 20 on its upper end by means of which said cutter heads are secured in adjusted position, and which when loosened will permit the heads to be moved longitudinally on said guideways. Mounted to slide longitudinally in hearings in the heads 16 and 17 are cutters or punches 21, each having a lateral notch 22 in one side to receive the circular head 23 of an elbow lever or operator 24-, each pivotally mounted at its angle on a bracket 25 depending from the under side of the respective cutter heads.

Below the table 10 is an actuator 26 for imparting longitudinal motion to the cutters or punches 21, said actuator in the present instance, comprising a hub 27 extending be tween the legs 13 and journaled on bolts 28 threaded in said legs to permit said actuator to rock. Extending in a forward direction from the hub 27 is a plate 29 expanded vertically at its forward edge in which is made a horizontal slot 29 said plate extending nearly to the ends of the hubs, as shown in Fig. 1. The actuator member shown and described as rocking on pivots, may if desired, be mounted to reciprocate in a straight line, the motion imparted thereby being the same whether it rocks or reciprocates. Engaging said slot are headed pins 30, each mounted on the free end of an elbow lever 24, the connection being such that into whatever position said heads may be moved to increase or decrease the distance between the cutters to accommodate box covers of various sizes, the elbow levers 24 will move therewith, and the headed pins 30 sliding in the slot 29 will always retain connection with the actuator, thus doing away with the ne cessity of disconnecting and reconnecting various parts of the mechanism, each time an adjustment is to be made to the cutter heads.

Supported by a bracket shelf 31 secured to one of the legs 13 on its inner side is a bearing 32 within which is mounted a horizontal rotating shaft 33 extending transversely of the machine and provided with a worm 34 which engages and rotates a worm wheel 35 mounted on a shaft 36 turning in arms projecting upwardly from the bearing 32. The shaft 36 also carries a cam 37 which operates an arm 38 projecting from the hub 27 of the actuator. At each rotation of the shaft 36 the cam 37 vibrates the arm 38, which imparts a like movement to the plate 29 of the actuator, rocks the elbow levers 24, and these in turncause the cutters or punches 21 to operate. The shaft 33 may be rotated by an electric motor 39 supported on the bracket shelf 31 and connected directly to said shaft or a belt pulley 40 may be mounted on an extension of the shaft 33 and a clutch provided for engaging and disengaging said pulley to the shaft. A further means for operating the actuator is also shown, this means comprising a treadle 41 pivoted to rock on the brace rod 14 and connected by a pitman 42 to the under side of the actuator. A coil spring 43 connected to the pitman and the under side of the table, or any other convenient position returns the several parts to inoperative position after being actuated either by the cam or by the treadle.

At the inner side of each cutter head 16, 17 is a vertically disposed yoke 44 which. yokes extend across said cutter heads and are slidably'mounted in grooves 45 in their front and rear sides. Projecting from the lower ends of the legs 46 of the yokes 44 are supporting shelves 47 on which the box covers are placed, said shelves projecting both in front of and back of the cutter heads a sufficient distance to give firm support to the box covers. A thumb screw 48 extends through the top of each yoke 44 and into the respective cutter heads for the purpose of raising and lowering the shelves 47 to increase and decrease the depth of cut to be made in the box covers.

Screwed or otherwise fastened in vertical position to the inner ends of each cutter head 16, 17 is a die plate 49 through which is formed a hole 50 of the same size and shape as the punch or cutter 21, and'against which said punch or cutter bears when making a cut in the box cover. Between each die plate 49 and the cutter heads is a space 51 to receive the edges of the box top as they are placed upon the shelves and for preventing lateral movement thereof.

52 indicates an adjustable guide mounted to slide transversely'in a groove .53 in the top of the table 10, and is held in any desired position by a thumb nut 54. The forward end of the guide 52 has an upturned finger 55 that projects above the supporting shelves 47 and against which the rear of the box cover is placed when positioned to have the thumb holes cut therein. I

In operation the thumb nuts 21 are loosened and the cutter heads, 16 and 17 moved toward or from each other until the distance between the spaces 51 is equal to the width of the box top, after which said vnuts are tightened. This movement besides moving the cutter heads also causes the elbow levers 24 to move and the headed pins carried thereby to slide in the slot 29 of the actuator. The guide 52 is then moved into such position that when a box is placed in position and against the finger 55 thereon it will be properly positioned for the punches or cutters when they advance to cut from the edges of said boxes thumb holes a as indicated in Fig. 4. The depth of cut is regulated by turning the screw bolts 48 which raise and lower the supporting shelves 47.

The cutter heads, supporting shelves, and guide being properly adjusted the shaft 33 may be started either by switching in the electric motor 39, or coupling the clutch to the belt pulley 40 if power is used. If the treadle is to be used the same will be operated after each box cover has been placed in position. When power is used there is sufli: cient time between each operation of the cam 37 to permit one box cover being removed and another substituted in place thereof, so that the operation will be continuous.

If desired the cam 37 instead of being a single cam to cause one operation of the actuator at each rotation of the shaft 36, may be a double cam as indicated in dotted lines Fig. 2, whereby two operations of the machine will occur at each rotation of said shaft. Instead of making the punches or cutters circular as shown they may be triangular, square, or of any other formation desired.

lVhat I claim is 1. A thumb hole cutting machine compris: ing a plurality of adjustable cutter heads, a cutting punch slidably mounted in each head, a pivoted actuating member for positively moving said cutting punches in each direction, and means supported by each head for conveying motion from said actuating member to the punches, said means having continuous interengaging but movable connection with the actuator to permit adjustment of said cutter heads without disconnecting any of the operating parts.

2. A thumb hole cutting machine comprising a plurality of adjustable heads, a cutting punch slidably mounted in each head, a punch operator supported on each head and adjustable therewith, and a pivoted actuating member for positively operating the said punch operators and their cooperating punches in each direction, said operators having a sliding connection with the actuators to permit adjustment of the heads within. the limit of the machine without disconnecting said connection.

3. A thumb hole cutting machine comprising a plurality of adjustable heads, a cutting punch slidably mounted on each head, a plurality of supports for the article to be cut, each adjustably mounted on a head and also adjustable with the head, a punch operator carried by each head and movable therewith, and a pivoted actuating member for imparting movement to said punch operators, said operators having a sliding connection with the actuators to permit adj ustment of said heads without disengaging any of the connections.

4-. A thumb hole cutting machine com prising a plurality of adjustable heads, a cutting punch slidably mounted in each head, a bell crank operating lever pivoted on each head and connected by one arm to'the cutting punch to move the same positively in each direction, a pivoted actuating member having a slot therein, and means on the other arm of each punch operating lever in sliding engagement with said slot to rock said levers and permit adjustment of the cutter heads without disconnecting any of the parts.

A thumb hole cutting machine comprising a plurality of adjustable heads, a cutting punch slidably mounted in each head, a pivoted actuating member comprising a rocking plate having a slot in its swinging edge, and a bell. crank operating lever on each head connected by one arm to the cutting punch to move the same positively in ach direction and having sliding engagement by its other arm with the slot in the actuating member to permit adjustment of the cutter heads without disconnecting the lever and actuating member.

6. A thumb hole cutting machine comprising a fixed table, a plurality of adjustable cutter heads slidable on said table and extending through a slot therein, a pivoted actuating member supported below said table and having a straight slot therein parallel to the line of movement of said cutter heads, means for rocking the actuating member, and means on each head for con veying the motion in both directions of said actuating member to the punches, said means having continuous but movable connection with the actuator to permit adjustment of said heads.

7. A thumb hole cutting machine comprising a fixed table having a longitudinal slot therein, a pair of adjustable cutter heads mounted in said slot, a cutting punch reciprocably mounted in each head, a pivoted actuating member supported below said table and provided with a straight slot parallel to the line of adjustment of said cutter heads, and an operating lever pivotally nounted on each head in engagement at one end with the cutting punch and at its opposite end with the slot in the actuator.

8. A thumb hole cutting machine com prising a table having a longitudinal slot therein, a pair of cutting heads extending through said slot and adjustable therein, a cutting punch reciprocably mounted in each cutter head, a rocking actuating member comprising a hub supported on pivots carried by the frame, a plate projecting from said hub and a straight slot or channel in the edge of said plate parallel to the line of adjustment of said cutter heads, and a punch operating lever pivoted on each head engaging at one end with said punch and at its opposite end with the slot or channel in the actuator.

9. An actuator for imparting reciproeating motion to a plurality of longitudinal cutters comprising a body adapted to be supported on pivots, said body having a straight slot or channel formed therein to engage cutter operating means whereby said cutters are positively moved in both directions and may be adjusted to diiierent positions without disengaging the connection between the actuator and the operating means.

10. A thumb hole cutting machine, comprising a fixed table, a plurality of cutter heads adjustably mounted thereon, a cutting punch in each head, an independent support for the object to be cut adjustably mounted on each cutter head to regulate the depth of cut, and independent means for adjusting each support.

11. A thumb hole cutting machine comprising a plurality of adjustable cutter heads, a cutting punch in each head, a yoke slidably mounted on each head, shelves carried by said yokes to support the object to be cut, and an adjusting screw connected to each yoke to raise and lower the same for regulating the depth of cut.

A thumb hole cutting machine comprising a plurality of adjustable cutter heads, a cutting punch in each head, a punch operator supported on each cutter head, a common pivotally supported actuator for all the punch operators, and a movable connection between the actuator and each punch operator in continuous engagement therewith to permit adjustment of the cutter heads Without disconnecting .any of the parts and to positively advance and retract the punches.

13. A thumb-hole cutting machine comprising a plurality of adjustable cutter heads, a cutting punch in each head, a punch operator supported on each head, a pivotally supported actuator common to all the punch operators, a cam for imparting motion to the actuator, and other means connected to the actuator for operating the same, either of said means being optionally operative without disconnecting the other.

14. A thumb hole cutting machine comprising a plurality of adjustable cutter heads, a cutting punch in each head, a punch operator supported on each cutter head, a common actuator for all the punch operators, an exterior cam for imparting motion to the actuator, optional driving means for said cam comprising a direct coupled motor and clutch coupled driven Wheel, and foot operating means connected directly to said actuator.

15. A thumb hole cutting machine comprising a plurality of adjustable cutter heads, a cutting punch in each head, a punch operator supported on each cutter head, a common actuator for all the punch opera tors, a cam for imparting motion to the ac tuator, a Worm gear wheel fixed on the shaft of said cam, a worm in engagement With said worm gear, means for driving the worm and a foot operating means connected to the actuator, said cam and foot operating means being optionally operative and either of which may be operated without disconnecting the other.

16. A thumb hole cutting machine comprising a plurality of adjustable cutter heads, a cutting punch in each head, a punch operator supported on each cutter head, a common actuator for all the punch operators, an exterior cam for imparting motion to the actuator, a worm gear wheel fixed on the shaft of said cam, a worm in engagement with said Worm gear, a motor directly coupled to the Worm shaft, a driven Wheel clutch coupled to said shaft, and a foot operating means connected to the actuator for moving the same independently of the cam.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses. 7

JAMES D. REIFSNYDER.

Witnesses ALBERT D. MILLER, CHARLES H. NITSCH;

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

